Pump-rod adjuster



(No Model.)

WQH'. BIRGE. Pump Rod Adjuster.

No. 238,635. Patented March 8,1881.

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UNITE STATES ATENT Fierce.

WILLIAM H. BIRGE, O'F FRANKLIN, PENNSYLVANIA.

PUMP-ROD ADJUSTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 238,635; dated March 8,1881. Application filed January 27, 1881'. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. BIRGE, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at Franklin, in the county of Venango and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Pump-Rod Adjusters; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to theaecompanying drawing, and to letters or figures of reference marked thereon, which form apart of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in pump-rod adjusters.

The usual method pursued in raising or lowering the valves in an oil-well is to pass a rope over the crown-pulley on the top of the derrick, which is built over all oil-wells, and is generally seventy-two feet in height. One end of the rope is fastened to the shaft of the bullwheel at the bottom of the derrick, and when the other end is passed over the crown-pulley and down again, and made fast to the upper end of the pump-rod, which projects above the walking-beam, the bull-wheels are then turned until the whole weight of the long string of sucker-rods in the oil-well is carried by the rope. The clamp which clamps the pump-rod is then loosened and the string of rods and pump-valve is raised or lowered a few inches, or as far as desired by the operator. It is very dangerous for a man to go to the top of one of these derricks, especially in the winter time, when the derrick has more or less snow and ice upon it, and it happens quite often that men lose their lives by slipping and falling from the derric'ks where such mode of adjustment of valve-rods as above described is employed.

In practice it is found that the pump-rods in oil-wells frequently require to be raised in order to examine and adjust the valves, which very often get out of order, and it is my design to produce a device by means of which the pump-rod may be readily raised to any desired height for the purpose of permitting the examination or repair of the valves, and also of being lowered to any required depth Without placing the operator in danger of receiving injury while operating the device, and at the same time producing a device by which the rod may be, by avery simple and inexpensive arrangement, securely clamped at any desired elevation.

My invention, which will be readily understood on reference to the drawing and description, consists in forming upon the upper portion of the pump-rod (or polish-rod, as it is sometimes called,) a screw-thread which works in a similar screw-thread formed in the crosshead, so that by turning the pump-rod in said cross-head it may be readily raised or lowered, as required. Said rod is retained in any desired-position by means of a lock-nut working on the threaded rod and resting and clamping against'the top of the cross-head.

The drawing represents a sectional elevation of my improvement.

A represents the pump or polish rod, which, in place of being smooth its whole length, is screw-threaded at its upper portion. This screw-thread a, I prefer to cut somewhat coarse and flat, in order thatit may not be easily battered or injured in use.

B represents the cross-head or adjuster, with upward projection b. This cross-head has a central orifice, screw-threaded, to receive the screw-threaded portion of the pump-rod.

Orepresents a lock-nut, which is passed over the end of the rod A projecting above the cross-head,and serves, on being turned on said rod until it rests upon the top of the projection I), to clamp said rod firmly in position.

When it is desired to either raise or lower the pump-rod in order that the valves may operate upon dilierent parts of the well, or for any other purpose, all that is necessary in my device is to loosen the nut O, and by the application of a wrench or other suitable lllSt-Illment to the top of the rod A, turn said rod in its screw-threaded socket in the direction desired.' The nut G is then turned down and the rod is securely clamped in position.

By the present improvement pump-rods may be very readily adjusted up or down to any desired extent 5 there is no danger of the rod slipping down while being adjusted; there are no parts likely to get out of order; no complicated mechanism, is employed, and the safe adjustment of the rod is more readily and as in my device, but depends upon the operation of the exterior temper-screw and a pivoted double-jawed nut for its vertical move- 15 ment.

What I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

Ihe pump-rod adjuster herein described, consisting of the pump-rod A, having coarse screw-thread a formed thereon, the cross-head B, having projection b and screw-threaded orifice, and the locknut O, as and for the purpose described.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

IVILLIAM H. BIRGE.

WVitnesses JOHN HOPE, FRANKLIN POWER. 

